There are 2,551,000 mi3 of fresh water on or below the surface of the Earth.[1] Space is vast and seemingly unlimited unlike our supply of fresh water. People across the country and around the world are beginning to find this out the hard way. Much like balancing the light and dark sides of The Force (can you tell I saw the new Star Wars movie?), it is difficult to balance the supply and demand for water. The good news is there are people and communities working toward a balance in this force, the force of water. Many of those communities are Groundwater Guardians. Working globally and acting locally for the betterment of water supplies is what the Groundwater Guardian program is all about.

The community-based approach to groundwater protection works, and it is something that you, here on Earth, can get involved with. Check the Groundwater Guardian directory to find a Groundwater Guardian community near you. If there aren’t any near you, be your own force and get one started.

May the force be with you.

[1] United States Geologic Survey. “How much water is there on, in, and above the Earth?” http://water.usgs.gov/edu/earthhowmuch.html

Thursday, December 17, 2015

As we prepare
for the New Year, remember the many important days we can celebrate to help
protect the Earth and its water resources.Here is a list of a few “green” holidays to celebrate in 2016!Mark your calendars!

·World Wetlands Day – February 2 (also Groundhog
Day!)

·National Groundwater Week – March 6-12

·World Sparrow Day – March 20

·World Water Day – March 22

·Earth Day – April 22

·Arbor Day –April 29

·National Drinking Water Week – May 1-7

·Bike to Work Day – May 20

·World Environment Day – June 5

·World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
– June 17

·Water Quality Month (August)

·Protect Your Groundwater Day – September 8

·National Wildlife Day – September 4

·International Day for the Preservation of the
Ozone Layer – September 16

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Last night I went to a holiday party where I knew very few
of the guests. And, like many events
where I am introduced to new people, the question of where I work or what I do
came up repeatedly. “Groundwater Foundation?” they say with a bewildered look
on their face. As I explain that we
educate people about groundwater and invite people to get involved in its
protection, I get yet another bewildered look, until I explain that groundwater is the water we drink and the
water that grows our food, then the light bulb begins to come on.

It still amazes me that there are many people who still know
very little about groundwater.
Obviously, the work of educating people about this resource that is so
vital to our survival on this planet is not done. So for all of you who have dedicated time to
educating an individual, a group of school children, or a civic club – thank you! The more people who understand
groundwater and its role in our lives, the more people who will be able to take
action on its behalf.

So while sometimes I may feel out of place at
certain events when I don't know anyone, I have to remember that it is really just another great opportunity
to educate someone, even if only a little bit, about groundwater. I hope that each of you will take moments like these to
educate just one more person about our precious groundwater.

Have you had a moment like this? What approach did you use to get people excited about groundwater?

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Do you work with youth? Is education your thing? Although created with Girl Scouts in mind, the Water-Wise Wednesday blog features Frannie, The Groundwater Foundation's Girl Scout patch program's mascot,sharing fun, hands-on activities that can be utilized by anyone involved with youth education! Check out this week's blog post below and tune in every Wednesday for more activities at groundh2o.blogspot.com!

For
the next ten weeks Frannie will be sharing The Groundwater Foundation's
Top 10 List of Ways to Protect and Conserve Groundwater at home! Each
week will feature a step you can teach your troop to share with their
families to become groundwater stewards! The first week in this series
is about reducing your chemical use.In most homes you can find many chemicals, used for cleaning or taking care of the lawn. Most of these chemicals are removed from water by waste treatment facilities before the water is returned to rivers, streams, and lakes, but certain chemicals found in cleaners and other household chemicals - like ammonia, phosphorus, and nitrogen - are not removed by the treatment process. That means when cleaning products are rinsed down the drain or flushed down the toilet, they are getting into our surface water and affecting fish like Frannie!

Many of these products can be replaced with simple, environmentally-friendly options that you can buy in the store or make yourself! Follow this easy recipe with Frannie to make your own cleaners!Here's what you'll need:

3. Use the funnel to add the baking soda, dish soap, and vinegar to your spray bottle. Shake the ingredients in the bottle.

4. Let it sit for a minute and fill the bottle with warm water and shake it up.5. Optional - add one to two drops of essential oil to the spray bottle mixture to give it a more pleasant scent.6. Replace the cap, shake, and enjoy!